All Out in the Open
All Out in the Open, Questions from the Closet
All Out in the Open is a resource for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and those who love them. Our goal is to help listeners connect with themselves, with their families, with their community, and with God. Hosts Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty help listeners open up to themselves and those around them. Clare Dalton digs into the scriptures and teaches how they can be a catalyst for personal revelation. Iese Wilson takes listeners on a tour of LGBTQ Latter-day Saints all over the Church and introduces us to modern day pioneers. Michael Soto and Liz Macdonald highlight the amazing work of those who are building and strengthening their communities. Learn more at www.alloutintheopen.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 25, 2025 • 1h 10min
Hosts Reflect on All Out In The Open
To celebrate one year of All Out in the Open, hosts Charlie Bird, Ben Schilaty, Liz Macdonald, Michael Soto, Iese Wilson and Clare Dalton reflect on their favorite episodes and biggest takeaways.We’ll be taking a break from the podcast to assess the best way to meet the needs of the community moving forward. Thank you for tuning in each week—your support means the world to us. We’ll be sharing more resources, events and opportunities to get involved soon.
Nov 18, 2025 • 58min
Finding Personalized Direction on Your Path With Molly and Ruth
We’re excited to have Molly and Ruth join us in this week’s IN the Scriptures episode. Molly, an Arizona native, is a choir teacher with a passion for building community, and Ruth, originally from New York, works as an engineer who loves solving complex problems. The couple met and married in Utah before relocating to Indiana last year.Together with host Clare Dalton, they explore how cultural misunderstandings of doctrine and policy can cause real harm—and why acknowledging that harm is the first step toward healing.
Nov 11, 2025 • 50min
Classic Episode: Navigating Identity and Faith in New Zealand (with Shaqaila Uelese)
OUT and About: Iese Wilson takes us to New Zealand where Shaquaila Uelese opens up about growing up, discovering her identity, and embracing the Māori term Takatapui. While her family initially struggled with her coming out, their love helped her reconnect with God and heal her testimony. Shaq also shares the inspiration behind her nonprofit, Nevertheless, which helps people heal from shame, and offers powerful advice to anyone who feels different.
Oct 30, 2025 • 45min
How a Jewish Rabbi Flips Judgement into Curiosity (with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz)
In this week’s ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz. Growing up in an interfaith home, he felt called to Judaism and a life of activism. Rabbi Yanklowitz has founded organizations that serve foster children, immigrants, unsheltered individuals, and animals. Through his leadership and faith, he has also been a steadfast ally to the LGBTQ+ community.Rabbi Yanklowitz invites listeners to reinterpret exclusive teachings, live joyfully as an act of resistance, and practice small acts of kindness to help heal ourselves, our families, and our world.
Oct 28, 2025 • 51min
What Conference Left Us Talking About (With Charlie and Ben)
In this week’s episode, Charlie and Ben share their experiences watching the October 2025 General Conference. They discuss which messages stood out to them and how we can apply those principles in our daily efforts to become better disciples of Christ.
Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 10min
Exploring the Doctrine of Exaltation When You Don’t See Yourself in It (with Jeremy and Sara Kerrigan)
This week our IN the Scriptures episode features Jeremy and Sara Kerrigan.After nearly two decades of marriage, Jeremy came out as gay. Though the couple later divorced, they continue to share deep friendship, faith, and love for each other and their five children.Together with host Clare Dalton, they discuss Doctrine & Covenants 124-136, exploring temple covenants, eternal relationships, and how our understanding of God grows through lived experience.#AllOutInTheOpen #INtheScriptures #DoctrineAndCovenants #FaithJourney #LGBTQ #Marriage #EternalFamilies
Oct 14, 2025 • 52min
Finding Self Acceptance as a Gay Saint in Jamaica (with Marcel Robinson)
This week’s OUT and About episode features Marcel Robinson, a gay Latter-day Saint from Jamaica. He opens up about losing his father, coming to terms with his sexuality, facing health challenges, serving a mission, and now attending Brigham Young University–Idaho. Marcel’s story is one of faith, hope and perseverance.
Oct 7, 2025 • 42min
Bringing Ministry to the Margins (With Bishop Karen Oliveto)
This week in our ALL Together episode, Bishop Karen Oliveto shares her experiences as the first openly lesbian bishop in The United Methodist Church and what it means to bring ministry to the margins.Drawing on insights from her book “Together at the Table,” Bishop Oliveto discusses the power of gathering to find common ground. Her story reminds us that inclusion and understanding are everyday expressions of faith.
Sep 30, 2025 • 40min
Behind the Scenes With Sound Guy Mike
This week’s OPEN Up episode features one of our very own editors, Mike Poret—better known as “Sound Guy Mike.”Mike first discovered Questions from the Closet while he was in the process of coming out. Reaching out to Charlie and Ben, he offered his technical skills, which have supported our guests and listeners for the past five years.In this episode, Mike shares what happens behind the scenes, his favorite episodes, and how the podcast has impacted his own journey.
Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 17min
Setting Boundaries Without Burning Bridges (with Michael Soto)
This week in our IN the Scriptures episode, Michael Soto joins Clare Dalton to discuss Doctrine & Covenants 109-123. Together they explore the importance of names, boundaries, and chosen families.
